JOHN Ryan saddled a near 110/1 double highlighted by the feature race success of Gaelic Arc in the Belvedere House & Gardens Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase.
The Arcadio gelding, owned in partnership by Mark Fleming and Tom Westropp Bennett, was sent to the front with just over a circuit to run by Harry Sexton and kept on gamely from the last to hold off the challenge of Le Coq Hardi by three-quarters of a length. Sexton and Conor Smithers, aboard fourth-placed Ashdale Bob, both picked up two-day whip bans.
“He’s dropped down through the handicap and is a fair horse at that sort of weight. It was the obvious thing to go on with a horse that jumps like him,” said Ryan of the well-backed 11/2 shot before adding: “He might go to Killarney next month for a good two-mile chase that he won last year, and he’ll go to Galway for something.”
Unlucky for some
Liam Quinlan was a late replacement aboard The Little Yank who initiated the Ryan double in division two of the Belvedere House & Gardens Handicap Hurdle. The Westerner gelding was patiently ridden and led before the last and kept on well to beat Bigira by nearly four lengths.
“It’s great to get him back and the osteopath Jim Bergin did a lot of work on him,” said Ryan who trains the 16/1 winner for the Bitview Partnership. “It’s hard luck on John Aherne (stood down after a fall in previous race). Liam has ridden plenty of winners for me in the past but it’s hard on poor John and hopefully he’ll be alright.”
Callaghan goes one better
The Templemore trainer was unfortunate not to record a treble on the evening as Ad Caelum held a slight advantage when blundering and then unseating Gavin Brouder at the last flight in the Paul & Carmel Fay Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
This left the way clear for Willie Mullins’ 2/1 favourite Straight Home to beat Long Gone by four and a half lengths.
“She had a couple of little issues that were found after the last day. Her work had been good, so we were confident of a good run,” said winning rider Kieran Callaghan.
“I’ve finished second for the (Whitegrass Racing) syndicate a number of times so it’s great to ride a winner for them.”
Budds plots Plate plan
CARL Millar partnered a double on the card aboard Emily Love and Anyway, and the latter could be aimed at the Galway Plate after taking the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Beginners Chase for trainer Ken Budds.
The 2/1 shot, owned by Kenny Haughey and Kieran Byrne, ran a cracker last time when runner-up to Caldwell Potter at the Cheltenham Festival and was prominent throughout here before being ridden out on the run-in to beat You Oughta Know by two and a quarter lengths.
“He jumped well, travelled well and it’s grand to get a win into him over fences,” said Budds. “He wouldn’t want it heavy but soft or yielding is grand. He’s actually very good on real fast ground.
“Cheltenham made a man of him, the speed and the fences coming up quick. I’m not sure what the plans are but I’d imagine he’ll get an entry in the Galway Plate.”
Millar doubles up
Emily Love completed a hat-trick when justifying 7/4 favouritism in the Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Mares Hurdle.
Successful at Limerick and Perth in recent weeks, the James Reilly-owned mare led from three out and was ridden out from the last to beat Eye Of A Tiger by a length and three-quarters.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott was represented by Jody McGarvey, who said, “She has a nice pedigree, and it looks like she could have a future over fences as well.
“She was a bit unruly at the start but once she gets going, she’s very straight forward.”
PILTOWN trainer David O’Brien and amateur rider Simon Cavanagh continued a good run of success together in the Watch Every Race Live On Racing TV (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle where Peter Tarrant’s homebred Bossing It (11/4) led entering the straight and went on to beat Cocovic by three and a quarter lengths.
“Simon doesn’t ride for me that often, but I think he’s won four of the last five between point-to-points and the track,” said O’Brien.
PILTOWN trainer David O’Brien and amateur rider Simon Cavanagh continued a good run of success together in the Watch Every Race Live On Racing TV (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle where Peter Tarrant’s homebred Bossing It (11/4) led entering the straight and went on to beat Cocovic by three and a quarter lengths.
“Simon doesn’t ride for me that often, but I think he’s won four of the last five between point-to-points and the track,” said O’Brien.
“She ran a lovely race in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown on heavy ground and we decided to give her a break to strengthen her up a bit and it seems to have paid off. It’s a nice family and the mother, Is Herself About, won five for us.”
Pleasant surprise
Jonny Mansie, trained by Declan Queally for the Man About Dog Syndicate, caused a 20/1 surprise in division one of the three-mile 0-100 handicap hurdle, travelling well to lead approaching the straight under James O’Sullivan for a convincing four and three-quarter lengths verdict over Tango Theatre.
“He’s taken a lot of time. He was weak and babyish and had been disappointing. I thought a trip would suit him and I felt there was a race in him as he got older,” said Declan Queally junior.
Patience rewarded
Jisco Du Brem (100/30) proved strongest under Adam Ryan in the closing stages of the Midlands National On 11th July Flat Race to beat Kevlar by a length and a half.
Trainer Jonathan Sweeney commented: “He had a good run in Ballinrobe and ran into a good horse on the night, and he improved from that. I think he’ll improve more and hopefully we’ll have a bit of fun with him.
“The main aim will be to go hurdling and I’d say he’s better on soft ground. He had a few problems along the way as you do with horses and it’s good for Tom (Hegarty, owner) who has been patient with him.”